The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-16


delighted to have added another to the
long list of Vancs in the baptlsmal
register.
"Eustace." she said suddenly one
day, when the child was more than n
month old, ~ should like to have a
dance for the christening"
"For the WHAT, my dearP" asked
Eustace with mild astonishment.
"The christening"
"The child is already named; l
registered him as William Lotus Vane.
Did not tell youP"
"Yes, dear-but the CEREMONY
she began.
"You don't mean to say" he inter-
rupted, pointing to the church, THAT
you want to take the poor child over
there and water him as If he were q
young vegetable and you wanted him
to grow the quicker Or, perhaps,
you intend going through the cere-
mony of thanksgiving also"
ooh, mol forgot" blushing scarlet
at his sarcasm. "But l should like
dance. Eustace."
Dearest you shall have dozen
dances, If they will please YOU" he an
swered kissing her. Don't let these
morbid fancles get hold of you-you
know you are not really strong yet"
So the child was not christened and
Eustace Vanes sarcasm having killed
the yearning in the mothers heart, she
went in for her advanced ideas more
warmly than ever, and the green bay
tree fourished greener and greener
Truly, it did seem hard upon the SIM
pie folk who had so many troubles.
Upon one point every one was
agreed. and that was that when the
days of babyhood were passed, the
little heir of Vanedene began to prove
himself wonder after all. AT five
years old he knew as much as child
of ten, or of twice ten for the matter of
that; he could repeat poetry in three or
four languages by the page; could play
violin and piano; had written story,
printed by his parents, who were wiser
than their fathers had been, and
circulated among their friends; in
short, he was an infant prodigy. fine,
handsome, healthy intelligent child,
forced far beyond his years and beyond
his strength.
No simple toys were his by day-no
simple prayers he said by night; in
deed not one night out OF seven did he
have the sound healthy sleep childhood
ought to have. No. his toys were
mechanical models of the most compli-
Gated description, and night after
night he was kept up till midnight at
his mothers parties or at circus,
theatre, concert and the like. until the
handsome eyes would stay open no
longer and he was carried off to bed,
worn out by fatigue, yet too thoroughly
excited to sleep.
No one, except his parents, was
surprised when little Willie fell III, as
he did one dull and dreary November
day, after being up till one in the
morning at child's fancy ball got up
for his pleasure. No one was surprised,
but his parents were filled with
horrible agony OF fear, when the doc
tors who had been called in to attend
him announced the case to be mflam-
nation of the brain and almost hope
less.
Quickly the news spread through
Vanedene till it reached the rectory.
Then, at once, the rector sailed out
and took his way toward the Hall;
Mrs. Vane came to him.
'Is it trueP" he asked.
"Oh! too true-too true" she sobbed.
Let me baptize him." said the good
man, taking her hand and looking at
her with kindly pity.
ut will do no good, she cried. Oh.
my boyr'
"Oh! Mrs. Vane," be said earnestly,
"Why will you disregard the truthP 1t
is God who has sent this trouble upon
you. II the child is taken can you find
it in your heart to lay him over there
and leave him foreverP
"For ever" she echoed.
"Can you bear the villagers. amongst
whom you have liven all your life.
those who have loved the child as we'll